“My name is Lora and I’m addicted to making”.
Tag: projects
Crafty Plans and Finishing Lines
Wow! How Have I Missed This?
So.. I was checking out a few things on Ravelry, as you do when you’re trying to decide (avoid) what you’re going to do next and I stumbled upon something I never knew you could do.
Before I go any further, I should point out that you’ve probably been able to do it forever and I’m just late to the party as per usual.
As we all know my newly discovered obsession is weaving, well that and sewing, spinning, etc, etc. Anyway, for the purposes of this post it’s weaving.
I love Ravelry, it’s an invaluable tool for so many different aspects of fibre crafting and I know there’s weaving on there, but I’ve only been able to find it in the past, by looking at the finished projects from people signed up to the groups I’m in.
Until today that is.
I’ve just discovered that I can look at all of the finished weaving projects listed on Ravelry☺️🎉 ✌️
Here’s how –
Click on to the people tab along the top of the Ravelry home page and you’ll find yourself here. Where you will find lots of useful places to explore.
There’s your Friends Activity, where you can check out what your Ravelry friends have been up to.
The section – A Random Assortment of People’s Favourites or their ugh’s (projects people they’ve scored with the lowest satisfaction) is great for inspiration, or not as the case may be.
There’s show us your FO’s and lastly at the bottom there is a section called ‘Your Neighbours’. This is a great feature because these people and you have some of the same patterns in your libraries, therefore must have similar tastes. I often begin a search here first if I’m looking to knit something new, as there’s a good chance one of my neighbours might already have a design listed in their favourites or their library that I’ll like.
The section we’re looking at today is the ‘Show us your FO’s’.
Click on the search the finished FO’s tab.
Here you can click on the weaving projects and 💕 voilà 💕 – access to all of the finished weaving projects on Ravelry.
Better still, you can search the colour scheme of the piece.
The weight of yarn used (great for stash busting)
and what the project was, eg clothing, accessory, etc.
Of course you can also search peoples knitting, crochet and machine knitted finished projects too.
The only problem I can see, is that I’m going to be so busy looking at other peoples work, I’ll get none of my own finished 😳
Back to Ravelry, ehm… I mean work 😉
Happy Knitting!
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Refurbishments
As most of you already know we were closed for most of August whilst we refurbished the shop. I know from talking to a lot of people the general consensus was that the shop was fine and dandy the way it was. However, for me when we moved into the new premises 2 years ago I didn’t have time to get it just how I wanted it and it had been really bugging me, hence the August break.
Whilst many of you will have seen the transformation in the flesh, there are a good few of you that are unable to get into us regularly or purchase from us via mail-order.
So let me take you on a little tour…….
On entering the shop you’ll happen first upon our new knitwear display area. My super talented hubby has gone bonkers with copper pipe (he’s a plumber) and made me this beautiful display rack, which compliments the mannequins perfectly.
Behind the mannequins there’s my upcycled vintage suitcase and my now gold painted hat stand.
Looking down the shop there are shelves running down most of the left hand side to meet the counter, which we have moved in order to open up the shop floor completely. The shelves are packed with weights from 1ply to dk and we’ve managed to do away with the pattern stand by slotting the folders and books in between the yarn.
For those of you that were colour spotting on Facebook you’ll probably have noticed the ribbon stand has received a lick of aqua paint or two.
To the right or the ribbon stand there’s the basic acrylic corner (part 1)
Part 2
We’ve moved the buttons to the other side of the acrylic stand and the haberdashery supplies seem to fit in just nicely next to them.
Next comes the aran weight unit. Complete with gaps for some of the new yarns due in.
Where the counter was previously and some might even say the piece de resistance, are the vintage cinema seats and upcycled tyre coffee table.
Last but not least is the chunky/super chunky stand – I haven’t completely worked out where all of the new yarn that’s on order is going to squeeze in there yet though.
So far the response from everyone has been extremely positive ‘the shop seems bigger’, ‘there’s lots more light’, ‘it’s easier to see everything’ and everyone loves the upcycling with my hubbys copper pipe work receiving the most praise.
Have I tempted you to come and visit? It’s a bit of a work in progress as there’s still things I’d like to get done so I’ll keep you posted.
Hope to see you soon.
Happy Knitting!
New Magazine – Prima Makes
I spied this little number smiling at me from the shelves of Eason in Dungarvan yesterday and was won over instantly. Containing a hefty 162 pages of things to make, knit, sew, crochet and bake what’s not to like?
Like many of the other ‘lifestyle’ magazines that are available at the moment it is a very photography heavy publication, leading you to aspire to all things quirky, vintage and floral. In addition to the numerous projects there are ‘Ideas & Inspirations’ and ‘Spring into Shopping’ sections. There’s also a great feature on craft courses and workshops and if that wasn’t enough the good people at Prima Makes have also thrown in a couple of sheets of fancy printed paper.
So I imagine you’d like to have a little look at some of my favourite little projects?
These 3 beauties are called High Flyers, Heaven Scent and Time for Tea. Soooooo pretty.
The very appropriately hat a Picture is so fantastic I’d actually like one please. The funky, patchwork laptop case ould make a great gift and Kitchen Stichin’ is for those of us that like a bit of crochet.
The pretty Tunic Top knitted in cotton has sizes from 6-12 months to 5 years and it would be hard to resist the little pairs of Baby’s First Shoes. Bobtail Bunny is a pocket sized pal worked in 4ply crochet.
Still more …..
For the bakers amongst us my 3 favourites are the Coconut Doughnuts, Shortbread Flowers and the Peppermint Marshmallows, yummy.
It shouldn’t come as any surprise to those of you that know me but Daisy Chain is my absolute favourite, isn’t it beautiful? I hope my crochet is up to it.
If you’re still in need of a little convincing, then the icing on the cake has to be that the magazine comes complete a free kit to make this little mousey pincushion.
Happy Knitting! (maybe that should be crafting?)
The Knitter: Lace Collection
I thought this special edition of The Knitter would be the best way to kick off looking at the various different knitting and crochet magazines that are available to buy. At present (to my knowledge) there are six different UK publications for knitting and one for crochet, including:
Simply Knitting
Knitting
Yarnwise (formerly Knit and before that Yarn Forward)
Let’s Knit
Knit Today
The Knitter
Inside Crochet – title speaks for itself methinks
All of the magazines have something to offer and what works for one knitter might not be what another wants from a magazine. They all typically contain approximately 10 patterns and tend to have a similar format of: letters to the expert, a rundown on certain yarns and a look at ‘what’s new’ in the world of woolliness. Some of them will have an interview with a designer or perhaps a shop owner or knitting group organiser.
The Knitter is one of my personal favourites and since January 2009 when the first issue came out I haven’t missed an issue. The magazine is aimed at the intermediate to experienced knitter or for those that want to take their knitting a little further. The patterns are at first glance a little more intricate but the magazine includes both written and charted instructions.
Back to the Lace Collection – This ‘special’, as the cover highlights, contains 24 gorgeous patterns for every season. Sadly, for me, they have all been in previous issues. However it does present them all in one handy publication. In addition, if you’re new to The Knitter or missed several issues, the collection would be a good addition to library.
Of the patterns inside, some of my particular favourites are the Deco Lace Jacket by Teva Durham.
Rather unusually the lace jacket is knitted in a super chunky on 9mm. The design was originally in issue 22 from August 2010.
I’d also previously added the Mulligan Stole by Tanis Gray to my ‘to do’ list as I think it’s truly beautiful and very wearable.
It’s made in double knit using a 4.5mm needle and was previously in issue 23.
The Elwood hat by Kirstie McLeod combines cables and lace in a beautiful 4ply hat and takes approximately 360 meters of yarn. Elwood was originally published in issue 16 in February 2010.
Lastly, I absolutely adore Susan Crawford’s Jan Sweater. It appeared as a supplement in issue 32 but originally appears in Susan’s book ‘A Stitch in Time : Vintage Knitting Patterns 1930 – 1959, Volume 2’. I think the boat neck and the way the lace pattern forms an increasing V is simply stunning. Truly vintage.
The Lace Collection contains a review of six lace knitting books and a Who’s Who of lace designers, which gives the reader a little insight into the best lace talent from around the world. There is also a great masterclass by Jane Crowfoot on how to create flawless lacework, which gives you tips on avoiding and correcting mistakes too. I have to admit to loving the showcase review of 24 different lace weight yarns available; it’s a great resource for me when it comes to shopping for stock for the shop.
Personally I love knitting lace but I’d be the first to say it can be time consuming and usually requires more attention than other patterns. I know many accomplished knitters that can knit cables with their eyes closed, but actively avoid knitting lace.
One of the easiest and most lovely of all lace patterns is Old Shale. It works great in most weights of yarn and it’s a four row pattern, with only one of those containing any yarn overs and working stitches together. I shall pop a pattern and some examples up here in the near future.
In the meantime I’d recommend The Knitter Lace Collection to anyone that wants to try lace or would like to go a little further with lace. However, if, like me, you already have the magazines, maybe you should consider whether the €15.12 I paid for my copy in Eason might be better spent on a different knitting book?
Confessions of a Fibre Strumpet 